Team Tuesday: Meet Momentum Motorsports

While Momentum Motorsports might be new to the F3 Americas paddock, it isn't new to the SCCA racing scene. Momentum was one of the first teams to commit to the F4 U.S. Championship in 2016, fielding a total of five drivers over the years who scored nearly 20 top-10 finishes and visited the podium seven times. Not only did Momentum Motorsports expand its operation into F3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda this season, it also expanded its crew. Momentum Motorsports team owner Phil Picard said that the SCCA Pro Racing formula ladder not only grows drivers, it grows teams. He said that his team has been able to grow at a steady pace as each of the F4 and F3 championships have grown, and that the Momentum crew runs deep with professional racing experience and knowledge. Picard also noted that nine of his crew members hold engineering degrees. With the expanded field of drivers and crew, the results started to show immediately in F3 Americas. After three events, all four of the Momentum Motorsports drivers have earned championship points. It also has nine top-10 finishes and was represented on the podium at each event by three different drivers.

Meet the Momentum Motorsports Crew

Phil Picard- Team Owner

Barret Hoffman- Manufacturing Engineer, in the defense industry
Ben Heater- PPD Finishing Engineer
Brad Dailey- R&D Technician
Chris Wilson- Engineering Supervisor
Craig Litwiler- HDD New Products
Dave Palermo- Private Wealth Advisor
Devon Litwiler-  Small Business
Jason Stewart- Product Development Leader - Corning Auto Glass
Jeff Holley- LMC Vice President
Mike Harshberger- Mechanical Engineer
Neil Palumbo- Sr. Research Engineer - Science and Technology
Nick Wheeler- Mechanical Engineer
Phil Borden- Site Manager

Megan Gilkes, F3 Americas rookie and inaugural W Series driver- “I am the newest driver in the Momentum team and was thrilled to have the opportunity to start driving with them from the Pittsburgh round onwards. Phil and my dad had competed against each other for years and last summer I was able to meet Phil at New Jersey Motorsports Park when I had my first F2000 race and we briefly discussed possibilities for the 2019 season. That led to a 2-day winter test in the team’s F4 which went really well working with both Phil and Neil. After getting the opportunity with the W Series, and then the dream of racing in the F3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda came up, Momentum Motorsports was my natural first choice. The team has been excellent to work with, the engineer briefings with Josh have been incredibly educational. His attention to detail and efforts to get as much as he can out of both me and the car have already started to show dividends. The professionalism of every member of the team is exemplary and you just have to look at the mechanics’
backgrounds to see why this team will continue to thrive. One personal component of what makes this team so special for me though is the atmosphere. From the first time interacting with Momentum it was clear how important to them Quinlan, Kent and I were, and the focus of us being comfortable to share views, learn aspects of racing both on and off track and their openness to have positive external influences like Stewart Wild and Divina Galica work with us. Nothing but great things to say for this incredible operation.”


Shea Holbrook, First female to compete and podium in F3 Americas- “It’s critical drivers build relationships with the team they’re racing for. At Momentum Motosports it’s pretty easy as they have a business professional family feel to their operation. Every team has different processes but what every team should have is a great sense of pride in teamwork from the owner, engineers, mechanics, coaches to the drivers. It’s not only important for the drivers state of mind to have that support but, for the teams overall morale. I think it’s good to have a systematic process of how the team rolls to pre-grid, comes off track and everything in between. A lot of times the crew is the unsung hero’s in the battle. For me, it’s really important to be observant and grateful to your crew. My favorite part outside of driving is achieving a quality and sustainable level of efficiency under the awning. Coming off track, immediately diving into data and general car downloading with the engineer. Providing any setup changes to the crew chief so the mechanics can get to it in a timely matter and not have to skip lunch or rush to pre-grid. Efficiency definitely provides a calming and readiness that is critical to the team success over the weekend.”


Quinlan Lall, F3 Americas rookie who earned a podium and top-five result in his opening weekend at PITT Race-  “Momentum Motorsports is a team I’ve been involved with ever since I raced in the F2000 Championship Series back in 2014 and 2015. I’ve know Phil Picard for the past 5 years of my life, and rejoining the team for the third round of the F3 Americas Powered by Honda championship was like coming home. Momentum Motorsports, as an operation, has grown tremendously. Phil has brought in an amazing engineer and has found a dedicated group of mechanics. The methodology used in car setup and car preparation is second to none on the grid. The F3 Americas round at Pittsburgh International
Race Complex provided a unique set of challenges for the entire team as there was a 2-day test session followed closely by the race weekend. So car preparation and turnaround was key. The real unsung heroes behind the success for the entire weekend were the mechanics. Craig and Jason, the two mechanics specifically on my car, worked flawlessly together and kept the car running at 100%. We also formed a great relationship and were able to have a lot of fun during the races. Josh, our engineer, was great at keeping our car setup in the correct window to allow me to drive at my maximum. Phil did an amazing job at orchestrating the three cars he was running, as this was the first time he’s run a three car team in F3. Because of the level of execution presented by the team, it allowed me as the driver to go out and do what I do best. Altogether, the podium result on my debut weekend was one that the entire team worked extremely hard for. One that is well deserved and proves that Momentum has the capability of fighting at the front.”


Kent Vaccaro, Momentum Motorsports F4 U.S. graduate who has an F3 Americas podium finish and four top-10 results- “What amazes me about Momentum Motorsports is how much everyone enjoys themselves under the tent, while still providing such a good car for my teammates and I. Our team owner Phil has helped me find my footing in the racing world, and has always been behind me. I’ve learned an incredible amount over the last two years from my coach and engineer, Josh Hurley, who has taught me more than just how to be quick. Every single one of the Momentum mechanics puts their heart into their work every weekend, and it’s a joy to work with each and every one of them. Plus, the Momentum team has seriously developed their hospitality. Momentum has given me everything I need to succeed, and it has been a pleasure to drive with them for the last three years.”

About Momentum Motorsports
Momentum Motorsports is owned and operated by long time racing enthusiast Phil Picard. As a former driver turned business owner, Phil understands the motorsports industry and what is needed for success both on and off the track. Being involved in motorsports for more than 30 years, Momentum Motorsports has always been operated by passionate racers. With the goal to provide exceptional, personal service at the best price possible, Momentum Motorsports is a professional, yet cost effective trackside support program, prep shop and championship winning team. Located in Montgomery, New York but serving the entire United States, Momentum Motorsports’ major focus is the F4 United States Championship
Powered by Honda and the F3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda. Located in the Northeastern part of the country, Momentum Motorsports is central to many tracks including the Monticello Motor Club, Lime Rock Park, Pocono, Thompson, New Hampshire International Raceway, Watkins Glen, New Jersey Motorsports Park and more. While some locations are close to home, Momentum travels to major venues across the United States for both test and race events. From Motocross to Formula Ford and Formula Continental, Phil Picard was not only a racer and a race team owner but also holds an Automotive Engineering Degree and two open wheel championships. Outside of the racing world, Phil consults and trains automotive manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Honda, Volvo and Kia. With a background in both technical and driving skills, Phil is more than just your average race team owner, he is involved in every aspect to ensure that his drivers have the best chance possible to learn and garner the results that they deserve.

 

 

 

photos provided by Gavin Baker Photography